Separator plate with inlet curve

ABSTRACT

A scroll compressor includes a housing comprising a cylindrical shell arranged about a vertically-extending axis, and scroll compressor bodies, including a fixed scroll compressor body and a movable scroll compressor body. The scroll compressor bodies are disposed in the housing and have respective bases and respective scroll ribs that project from the respective bases and which mutually engage for compressing fluid. An electrical motor has a stator and rotor. There is a drive shaft and rotor that acts upon the drive shaft that acts upon the scroll compressor bodies to facilitate relative movement between the scroll compressor bodies. A separator plate is disposed in the housing to separate a high-pressure region from a lower pressure region. The separator plate has a central opening. A perimeter of the central opening is defined by a curved inner wall. The curved inner wall is joined to an outer wall via an annular plate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to compressors, and more particularlyto scroll compressors having a separator plate with an inlet curve orcurved inner wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A scroll compressor is a certain type of compressor that is used tocompress refrigerant for such applications as refrigeration, airconditioning, industrial cooling and freezer applications, and/or otherapplications where compressed fluid may be used. Such prior scrollcompressors are known, for example, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No.6,398,530 to Hasemann; U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,551, to Kammhoff et al.; U.S.Pat. No. 6,960,070 to Kammhoff et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,112,046 toKammhoff et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,877, to Beagle et al., all ofwhich are assigned to a Bitzer entity closely related to the presentassignee. As the present disclosure pertains to improvements that can beimplemented in these or other scroll compressor designs, the disclosuresof U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,398,530, 7,112,046, 6,814,551, and 6,960,070 arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Additionally, particular embodiments of scroll compressors are disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,211 to Wallis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,292 toWallis et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,084 to Wallis et al., theteachings and disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by referencein their entireties.

As is exemplified by these patents, scroll compressors conventionallyinclude an outer housing having a scroll compressor contained therein. Ascroll compressor includes first and second scroll compressor members. Afirst compressor member is typically arranged stationary and fixed inthe outer housing. A second scroll compressor member is moveablerelative to the first scroll compressor member in order to compressrefrigerant between respective scroll ribs which rise above therespective bases and engage in one another. Conventionally the moveablescroll compressor member is driven about an orbital path about a centralaxis for the purpose of compressing refrigerant. An appropriate driveunit, typically an electric motor, is usually provided within the samehousing to drive the movable scroll member.

In conventional compressors, for example scroll compressors, a separatorplate may be used to separate high-pressure regions from low-pressureregions. Typically, these separator plates include a central bore whichis machined after the separator plate is stamped. This machining allowsfor looser position tolerances during final assembly. However, thismachining adds cost, additional complexity, and additional time to themanufacturing process.

Embodiments of the invention address certain of the aforementionedproblems encountered during the manufacture of compressors,particularly, scroll compressors. These and other advantages of theinvention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparentfrom the description of the invention provided herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a scroll compressorwith a housing comprising a cylindrical shell arranged about avertically-extending axis, and scroll compressor bodies, including afixed scroll compressor body and a movable scroll compressor body. Thescroll compressor bodies are disposed in the housing and have respectivebases and respective scroll ribs that project from the respective basesand which mutually engage for compressing fluid. An electrical motor hasa stator and rotor. There is a drive shaft and rotor that acts upon thedrive shaft that acts upon the scroll compressor bodies to facilitaterelative orbital movement between the scroll compressor bodies. Aseparator plate is disposed in the housing to separate a high-pressureregion from a relatively lower pressure region. The separator plate hasa central opening. A perimeter of the central opening is defined by acurved inner wall. The curved inner wall is joined to an outer wall viaan annular plate.

In a particular embodiment, the curved inner wall is configured toreceive a central hub of the fixed scroll compressor body. The curvedinner wall may curve towards the outer wall at an entrance point wherethe fixed scroll compressor body enters the separator plate centralopening. In certain embodiments, the outer wall abuts an inner surfaceof the housing. Further, the aforementioned annular plate may befrusto-conical.

In another aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method ofmanufacturing a scroll compressor. The method may include attaching aseparator plate into an interior portion of a housing for the scrollcompressor, and inserting a fixed scroll compressor body into a centralopening of the separator plate. A perimeter of the central opening isdefined by a curved inner wall. The curved inner wall is joined to anouter wall via an annular plate.

Attaching a separator plate into an interior portion of a housing forthe scroll compressor may include attaching the outer wall of theseparator plate to an interior wall of the housing. In a furtherembodiment, inserting a fixed scroll compressor body into a centralopening of the separator plate may include inserting a central hub ofthe fixed scroll compressor body into the central opening.

The method may further include assembling an O-ring, lip seal, orspring-energized seal onto the central hub to create a seal between thefixed scroll compressor and the separator plate. In some embodiments,the curved inner wall curves toward the outer wall at an entrance pointwhere the fixed scroll compressor body enters the separator platecentral opening.

Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional isometric view of a scroll compressorassembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional isometric view of an upper portion of thescroll compressor assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional isometric view of a top portion of thescroll compressor assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional isometric view of a lower portion of thescroll compressor assembly of FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of a compressorwith a separator plate, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of a scrollcompressor with a separator plate and scroll compressor bodies,according to an embodiment of the invention.

While the invention will be described in connection with certainpreferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to thoseembodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives,modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 as ascroll compressor assembly 10 generally including an outer housing 12 inwhich a scroll compressor 14 can be driven by a drive unit 16. Thescroll compressor assembly 10 may be arranged in a refrigerant circuitfor refrigeration, industrial cooling, freezing, air conditioning orother appropriate applications where compressed fluid is desired.Appropriate connection ports provide for connection to a refrigerationcircuit and include a refrigerant inlet port 18 and a refrigerant outletport 20 extending through the outer housing 12. The scroll compressorassembly 10 is operable through operation of the drive unit 16 tooperate the scroll compressor 14 and thereby compress an appropriaterefrigerant or other fluid that enters the refrigerant inlet port 18 andexits the refrigerant outlet port 20 in a compressed high-pressurestate.

The outer housing 12 for the scroll compressor assembly 10 may take manyforms. In particular embodiments of the invention, the outer housing 12includes multiple shell sections. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the outerhousing 12 includes a central cylindrical housing section 24, and a topend housing section 26, and a bottom end housing section 28. In certainembodiments, the housing sections 24, 26, 28 are formed of appropriatesheet steel and welded together to make a permanent outer housing 12enclosure. However, if disassembly of the housing is desired, otherhousing assembly provisions can be made that can include metal castingsor machined components, wherein the housing sections 24, 26, 28 areattached using fasteners.

As can be seen in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the central housing section24 is cylindrical, joined with the top end housing section 26. In thisembodiment, a separator in the form of separator plate 30 is disposed inthe top end housing section 26. Each of the top and bottom end housingsections 26, 28 are generally dome shaped and include respectivecylindrical side wall regions 32, 34 that assemble to the center section24 and provide for closing off the top and bottom ends of the outerhousing 12. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the top side wall region 32telescopically overlaps the central housing section 24 and is exteriorlywelded along a circular welded region to the top end of the centralhousing section 24. Similarly, a bottom portion of the centralcylindrical housing section 24 overlaps the side wall region 34.

During assembly, these components may be assembled such that a singlecircumferential weld around the inner surface of the outer housing 12joins the top end housing section 26 and the separator plate 30. Asecond circumferential weld may externally join the top end housingsection 26 and central cylindrical housing section 24. In particularembodiments, the central cylindrical housing section 24 is welded to thebottom shell 28, though, as stated above, alternate embodiments wouldinclude other methods of joining (e.g., fasteners) these sections of theouter housing 12.

While the separator plate 30 could be a stamped steel component, itcould also be constructed as a cast and/or machined member (and may bemade from steel or aluminum) to provide the ability and structuralfeatures necessary to operate in proximity to the high-pressurerefrigerant gases output by the scroll compressor 14. By casting ormachining the separator plate 30 in this manner, heavy stamping of suchcomponents can be avoided.

Assembly of the outer housing 12 results in the formation of an enclosedchamber 31 that surrounds the drive unit 16, and partially surrounds thescroll compressor 14. In particular embodiments, the top end housingsection 26 is generally dome-shaped and includes a respectivecylindrical side wall region 32 that fits telescopically with the top ofthe central cylindrical housing section 24, and provides for closing offthe top end of the outer housing 12.

In a particular embodiment, the drive unit 16 in is the form of anelectrical motor assembly 40. The electrical motor assembly 40 operablyrotates and drives a shaft 46. Further, the electrical motor assembly 40generally includes an outer annular motor housing 48, a stator 50comprising electrical coils and a rotor 52 that is coupled to the driveshaft 46 for rotation together. In a particular embodiment, the rotor 52is mounted on the drive shaft 46, which is supported by upper and lowerbearing members 42, 44. Energizing the stator 50 is operative torotatably drive the rotor 52 and thereby rotate the drive shaft 46 abouta central axis 54.

Applicant notes that when the terms “axial” and “radial” are used hereinto describe features of components or assemblies, they are defined withrespect to the central axis 54. Specifically, the term “axial” or“axially-extending” refers to a feature that projects or extends in adirection generally parallel to the central axis 54, while the terms“radial’ or “radially-extending” indicates a feature that projects orextends in a direction generally perpendicular to the central axis 54.Some minor variation from parallel and perpendicular is permissible.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the lower bearing member 44 includes acentral generally cylindrical hub 58 that includes a central bushing andopening to provide a cylindrical bearing 60 to which the drive shaft 46is journaled for rotational support. A plurality of arms 62 andtypically at least three arms project radially outward from the bearingcentral hub 58 preferably at equally spaced angular intervals. Thesesupport arms 62 engage and are seated on a circular seating surface 64provided by the terminating circular edge of the bottom side wall region34 of the bottom outer housing section 28. As such, the bottom housingsection 28 can serve to locate, support and seat the lower bearingmember 44 and thereby serves as a base upon which the internalcomponents of the scroll compressor assembly can be supported.

Referring to FIG. 4, the lower bearing member 44 in turn supports thecylindrical motor housing 48 by virtue of a circular seat 66 formed on aplate-like ledge region 68 of the lower bearing member 44 that projectsoutward from the central hub 58. The support arms 62 also preferably areclosely toleranced relative to the inner diameter of the central housingsection 24. The arms 62 may engage with the inner diameter surface ofthe central housing section 24 to centrally locate the lower bearingmember 44 and thereby maintain position of the central axis 54. This canbe by way of an interference and press-fit support arrangement betweenthe lower bearing member 44 and the outer housing 12. Alternatively,according to a more preferred configuration shown in FIG. 1, the lowerbearing member 44 engages with the lower housing section 28 which is inturn attached to center section 24. Likewise, the outer motor housing 48may be supported with an interference and press-fit along the steppedseat 66 of the lower bearing member 44. In some embodiments, screws maybe used to securely fasten the motor housing 48 to the lower bearingmember 44.

The drive shaft 46 further includes an offset eccentric drive section 74that has a cylindrical drive surface 75 about an offset axis that isoffset relative to the central axis 54. This offset drive section 74 isjournaled within a cavity of the movable scroll member 112 of the scrollcompressor 14 to drive the movable scroll member 112 of the scrollcompressor 14 about an orbital path when the drive shaft 46 is rotatedabout the central axis 54. To provide for lubrication of all of thesebearing surfaces, the outer housing 12 provides an oil lubricant sump 76at the bottom end in which suitable oil lubricant is provided. The driveshaft 46 has an impeller tube 47 that acts as an oil pump when the driveshaft 46 is spun and thereby pumps oil out of the lubricant sump 76 intoan internal lubricant passageway 80 within the drive shaft 46. Duringrotation of the drive shaft 46, centrifugal force acts to drivelubricant oil up through the lubricant passageway 80 against the actionof gravity. In a particular embodiment, the lubricant passageway 80includes various radial passages to feed oil through centrifugal forceto appropriate bearing surfaces and thereby lubricate sliding surfacesas may be desired.

The upper bearing member, or crankcase, 42 includes a central bearinghub 87 into which the drive shaft 46 is journaled for rotation.Extending outward from the central bearing hub 87 is a disk-like portion86 that terminates in an intermittent perimeter support surface 88. Inthe embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the central bearing hub 87 extendsbelow the disk-like portion 86, while a thrust bearing 84 is assembledabove the disk-like portion 86 and contains a thrust surface 96, whichprovides axial support for the moveable scroll compressor body 112. Incertain embodiments, the intermittent perimeter support surface 88 isadapted to have an interference and press-fit with the outer housing 12.It is understood that alternate embodiments of the invention may includecrankcase posts with threaded holes to receive fasteners for assembly.Alternate embodiments of the invention also include those in which theposts are integral with a pilot ring instead of the crankcase.

Turning in greater detail to the scroll compressor 14, the scrollcompressor body is provided by first and second scroll compressor bodieswhich preferably include a relatively stationary fixed scroll compressormember 110 and a second scroll compressor member 112 movable relative tothe fixed scroll compressor member 110. The second scroll compressormember 112 is arranged for orbital movement relative to the fixed scrollcompressor member 110 for the purpose of compressing refrigerant. Thefixed scroll compressor member 110 includes a first rib 114 projectingaxially from a plate-like base 116 and is designed in the form of aspiral. Similarly, the second movable scroll compressor body 112includes a second scroll rib 118 projecting axially from a plate-likebase 120 and is in the design form of a similar spiral.

The scroll ribs 114, 118 engage in one another and abut sealingly on therespective base surfaces 120, 116 of the respectively other compressorbody 112, 110. As a result, multiple compression chambers 122 are formedbetween the scroll ribs 114, 118 and the bases 120, 116 of therespective compressor bodies 112, 110. Within the chambers 122,progressive compression of refrigerant takes place. Refrigerant flowswith an initial low pressure via an intake area 124 surrounding thescroll ribs 114, 118 in the outer radial region. Following theprogressive compression in the chambers 122 (as the chambersprogressively are defined radially inward), the refrigerant exits via adischarge port 126 which is defined centrally within the base 116 of thefixed scroll compressor member 110. Refrigerant that has been compressedto a high pressure can exit the chambers 122 via the discharge port 126during operation of the scroll compressor.

The movable scroll compressor body 112 engages the eccentric offsetdrive section 74 of the drive shaft 46. More specifically, the receivingportion of the movable scroll compressor body 112 includes a cylindricalbushing drive hub 128 which slideably receives the offset eccentricdrive section 74 with a slideable bearing surface provided therein. Indetail, the offset eccentric drive section 74 engages the cylindricaldrive hub 128 in order to move the second scroll compressor member 112about an orbital path about the central axis 54 during rotation of thedrive shaft 46 about the central axis 54. Considering that this offsetrelationship causes a weight imbalance relative to the central axis 54,the assembly preferably includes a counter weight 130 that is mounted ata fixed angular orientation to the drive shaft 46.

The counter weight 130 acts to offset the weight imbalance caused by theeccentric offset drive section 74 and the movable scroll compressor body112 that is driven about an orbital path (e.g. among other things, thescroll rib is not equally balanced). The counter weight 130 includes anattachment collar 132 and an offset weight region 134 that provides forthe counter weight effect and thereby balancing of the forces of therotating components about the central axis 54. This provides for reducedvibration and noise of the overall assembly by internally balancing orcanceling out inertial forces.

Referring in greater detail to the fixed scroll compressor member 110,this body 110 is fixed to the upper bearing member 42, capturing thesecond scroll compressor member 112 between the fixed scroll member 110and the upper bearing member 42. In a particular embodiment, the fixedscroll compressor body 110, together with the separator plate 30,separates a high pressure chamber 180 from the relatively lower pressureregion of the compressor 14 contained within the outer housing 12. Thecentral hub 178 of the fixed scroll compressor 110 body includes acircumferential O-ring groove 177, and when assembled with an O-ring179, seals against the central cylindrical bore of the separator plate30, preventing the return of high pressure compressed refrigerant to therelatively lower pressure region of the compressor assembly 14. At theinterface between the separator plate 30 and the top end housing section26, a fillet weld joins the end face of the outer cylindrical wallsection of the separator plate 30 with the inside surface of the top endhousing section 26, thus preventing the return of high pressurecompressed refrigerant to the relatively lower pressure region of thecompressor assembly 14.

The fillet weld allows for the separator plate 30 to be assembled to thetop end housing section 26 prior to final assembly and weld of thecompressor housing 12. This allows for inspection and confirmation ofpositional alignment between the central axis 54 of the top end housingsection 26 and the central cylindrical bore of the separator plate 30.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of a compressor 10with a separator plate 30, while FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of theupper portion of a scroll compressor 10 with a separator plate andscroll compressor bodies 110, 112, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention. The separator plate 30 is disposed in the housing 12 toseparate a high-pressure region 200 from a relatively lower pressureregion 202. The separator plate 30 has a central opening 204. Aperimeter of the central opening 204 is defined by a curved inner wall206. The curved inner wall 206 is joined to an outer wall 208 via anannular plate 212. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6, the annularplate 212 is frusto-conical, however other suitable configurations (bothcurved and flat, for example) for the annular plate 212 are envisioned.

In a particular embodiment such as shown in FIG. 6, the curved innerwall 206 is configured to receive a central hub 205 of the fixed scrollcompressor body 110. The curved inner wall 206 may curve towards theouter wall 208 at an entrance point 209 where the fixed scrollcompressor body 110 enters the separator plate central opening 204. Incertain embodiments, the outer wall 208 abuts an inner surface 211 ofthe housing 12.

With respect to the assembly of the scroll compressor assembly 10, incertain embodiments, the separator plate 30 is attached by any suitablemeans (e.g., welding, mechanical fastener, interference fit, adhesives,etc.) to the inner surface 211 of the housing 12. The fixed scrollcompressor body 110 is inserted into the central opening 204 of theseparator plate 30.

In certain embodiments, an O-ring 213 is assembled to the central hub205 of the fixed scroll compressor body 110 before insertion into thecentral opening 204 of the separator plate 30. The O-ring 213 creates aseal between the fixed scroll compressor body 110 and the curved innerwall 206 of the separator plate 30.

The design of the curved inner wall 206 eases the insertion of the fixedscroll compressor body 110 and its O-ring 213 into the central opening204, without any machining the separator plate 30 after stamping. Inmany cases, these components are assembled by hand in such a manner thatthey may be misaligned as the central hub 205 of the fixed scrollcompressor body 110 is introduced into the separator plate centralopening 204. The shape of the curved inner wall 206 allows for thismisalignment without damaging either the fixed scroll compressor body110, the separator plate 30, or the O-ring 213.

In an exemplary manufacturing process, the separator plate 30 ismanufactured using a stamping, or drawing process. During themanufacture, a die is inserted from the bottom of the central opening204, generating this curve at entrance point 209. This curvature allowsfor relatively severe positional misalignment of the separator plate 30,relative to the fixed scroll compressor body 110 during manufacture,such as might occur during manual assembly. As the central hub 205 andseparator plate 30 are assembled, the central hub 205 of the fixedscroll compressor body 110 progresses from the widest portion of thecurved inner wall 206 to a relatively narrower cylindrical portion 215.Consequently, the geometry of the curved inner wall 206 centers thefixed scroll compressor body 110 relative to the separator plate 30.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patentscited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each reference were individually and specifically indicated to beincorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A scroll compressor comprising: a housingcomprising a cylindrical shell section arranged about an axis that isvertically extending; scroll compressor bodies, including a fixed scrollcompressor body and a movable scroll compressor body, the scrollcompressor bodies being disposed in the housing and having respectivebases and respective scroll ribs that project from the respective basesand which mutually engage for compressing fluid; a drive unit having arotor and a stator; a drive shaft for rotation, the rotor acting uponthe drive shaft, which, in turn, acts upon the scroll compressor bodiesto facilitate relative orbiting movement between the scroll compressorbodies; and a separator plate disposed in the housing and arranged toseparate a high-pressure region from a relatively lower pressure region,the separator plate having a central opening, a perimeter of the centralopening defined by a curved inner wall, the curved inner wall joined toan outer wall via an annular plate.
 2. The scroll compressor of claim 1,wherein the curved inner wall is configured to receive a central hub ofthe fixed scroll compressor body.
 3. The scroll compressor of claim 1,wherein the curved inner wall curves toward the outer wall at anentrance point where the fixed scroll compressor body enters theseparator plate central opening.
 4. The scroll compressor of claim 1,wherein the outer wall abuts an inner surface of the housing.
 5. Thescroll compressor of claim 1, wherein the annular plate isfrusto-conical.
 6. A method of manufacturing a scroll compressorcomprising the steps of: attaching a separator plate into an interiorportion of a housing for the scroll compressor; and inserting a fixedscroll compressor body into a central opening of the separator plate, aperimeter of the central opening defined by a curved inner wall, thecurved inner wall joined to an outer wall via an annular plate.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein attaching a separator plate into an interiorportion of a housing for the scroll compressor comprises attaching theouter wall of the separator plate to an interior wall of the housing. 8.The method of claim 6, wherein inserting a fixed scroll compressor bodyinto a central opening of the separator plate comprises inserting acentral hub of the fixed scroll compressor body into the centralopening.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising assembling anO-ring onto the central hub to create a seal between the fixed scrollcompressor and the separator plate.
 10. The method of claim 6, whereinthe curved inner wall curves toward the outer wall at an entrance pointwhere the fixed scroll compressor body enters the separator platecentral opening.